Well, that's worth a shot...but you can't just walk in and say that you want a restraining order either, you have to have legitimate reason (in the eyes of the officer you are dealing with). I don't know what the exact "qualifications" are to get one, and indeed it may vary from place to place.....but I had to walk in black and blue before they would give me one, at one point in the past. Wasn't much consolation that they appeared to feel bad for not granting me one sooner at that point.
But yeah, it's worth a try, again especially when kids are involved. Once it was in place, they DID take it seriously. Again, documenting EVERYTHING is the key....make sure you have proof of what you say is going on, so there is no "he said she said" bs.